PEOPLE in Accrington are set to be given a forum to voice their views for the future of the town centre in a council bid to create a more 'open style' of policy-making.

Conservative group on Hyndburn Council is set to announce plans for a Town Centre Regeneration Board. The panel will include a majority of nominated town centre representatives and is set to have its own budget.

Town centre organisations including the market, Chamber of Trade and even shoppers will be invited to throw their hats into the ring.

The aim of the group is to promote regeneration in Accrington and an initial budget of £70,000 has been set aside.

Proposals and initiatives from all sectors of the community will be welcomed in a bid to shape major development projects. Councillors will launch the group at a policy and resources meeting next week and the first forum is planned for July.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "One of our election promises was to make government in Hyndburn more open.

"Previously the town centre panel met behind closed doors and the town centre forum did not engage councillors, traders and shoppers face to face.

"Accrington town centre has been a bone of contention in recent years and we want people to know how the council is spending their money.

"Councillors will be in a minority and it's not simply going to be a case of do as we say.

"This is quite a revolutionary way of involving local people in local decision making and we hope the people of Accrington will respond."

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